Glasser’s ChoiceGlasser’s Choice

What motivates my students?What motivates my students?

Linda Segars NW GA RESA

The Brain Seeks Two Things:The Brain Seeks Two Things:

►EmotionEmotionThis is the “hook” to This is the “hook” to

get students’ get students’ attention and peak attention and peak interest.interest.

►MeaningMeaningThis how the brain can This how the brain can

make sense of the make sense of the information coming information coming in…and anchor it to in…and anchor it to something it already something it already knows.knows.

(These are the reasons for using Activating Strategies…they hook the students in emotionally and then link the new learning to what they already know or have experienced so the brain can create meaning.)

Research QuotesResearch Quotes► Information stays in short-term memory Information stays in short-term memory

only briefly. It moves from short-term only briefly. It moves from short-term to long-term memory only if there a to long-term memory only if there a compelling reasoncompelling reason to remember the to remember the information—a information—a WHYWHY..

► More than ninety percentMore than ninety percent of our of our reasons for taking action and reasons for taking action and remembering –the “whys” –occur in the remembering –the “whys” –occur in the unconsciousunconscious mind. mind.

► The part of the brain that determines The part of the brain that determines what we remember resides in the same what we remember resides in the same area as emotions. Therefore, if the area as emotions. Therefore, if the “why” to remember something is linked “why” to remember something is linked to emotions, it is more likely to be to emotions, it is more likely to be retained longer than if it is not. retained longer than if it is not. ALL ALL LEARNING IS LINKED TO LEARNING IS LINKED TO EMOTIONS.EMOTIONS.

Continued in next slide…

Research QuotesResearch Quotes(Continued from previous slide.)(Continued from previous slide.)

► Students come to school with their own Students come to school with their own “whys”—emotional reasons for being there. “whys”—emotional reasons for being there. These “whys” are basic needs to survive, to These “whys” are basic needs to survive, to belong and love, to gain power, to be free, and belong and love, to gain power, to be free, and to have fun.to have fun.

► Students possessing negative attitudes toward Students possessing negative attitudes toward learning are limited in their ability to transfer learning are limited in their ability to transfer their knowledge to new learning situations.their knowledge to new learning situations.

► Teachers can aid students’ desire to learn, Teachers can aid students’ desire to learn, affecting their emotions and attitudes, by affecting their emotions and attitudes, by addressing students’ basic needs through what addressing students’ basic needs through what they say and what they do in the classroom.they say and what they do in the classroom.

William Glasser’sWilliam Glasser’sChoice TheoryChoice Theory

We all make choices according to We all make choices according to

basic needs that come from basic needs that come from within ourselves. The needs within ourselves. The needs drive our choices and influence drive our choices and influence how we behave in those how we behave in those choices.choices.

5 Basic Needs5 Basic Needs(according to Glasser)(according to Glasser)

o FunFuno FreedomFreedomo PowerPowero BelongingBelongingo SurvivalSurvival

FunFun►The need for pleasureThe need for pleasure►To playTo play►To laughTo laugh►Naturally motivatingNaturally motivating►No one has to bribe you to do these No one has to bribe you to do these

thingsthings

Try to imagine life without fun…Try to imagine life without fun…

FreedomFreedom►The need for independenceThe need for independence►For autonomyFor autonomy►For control over one’s own lifeFor control over one’s own life►For choiceFor choice

Some students have had little Some students have had little experience with choice…experience with choice…

PowerPower►EmpowermentEmpowerment►The need to achieveThe need to achieve►To be recognized for To be recognized for

achievement/skillsachievement/skills►To have a sense of self-worthTo have a sense of self-worth►To contributeTo contribute

What makes your students feel valued?What makes your students feel valued?

BelongingBelonging►The need for loveThe need for love►For relationshipsFor relationships►Social connectionSocial connection►Part of a groupPart of a group

In schools, we must work to make In schools, we must work to make students (parents, teachers) feel they students (parents, teachers) feel they belong…belong…

SurvivalSurvival►PhysiologicalPhysiological►The need for food, shelter, safetyThe need for food, shelter, safety►Safe from bullyingSafe from bullying

Schools should be a safe environment Schools should be a safe environment from bodily harm, mental or physical from bodily harm, mental or physical intimidation, abuse.intimidation, abuse.

A Compelling WhyA Compelling Why

……is a term used for an emotionally-is a term used for an emotionally-linked reason or motive that drives a linked reason or motive that drives a person to make a choice. person to make a choice.

…”…”compels” us to want to learn compels” us to want to learn something, commit information to something, commit information to long-term memory, and to recall it long-term memory, and to recall it when desired.when desired.

ALL BEHAVIOR IS ALL BEHAVIOR IS PURPOSEFUL!PURPOSEFUL!

► It is our best attempt, It is our best attempt, ►at the time, at the time, ►given our current knowledge and given our current knowledge and

skills,skills,►to meet one or more of our basic to meet one or more of our basic

human needs.human needs.

Dr. William GlasserDr. William Glasser

So, what does that have to So, what does that have to do with my classroom?do with my classroom?

Characteristics of the 5 basic Characteristics of the 5 basic needs:needs:

►UniversalUniversal► InnateInnate►OverlappingOverlapping►Satisfied from moment to momentSatisfied from moment to moment►Conflict with other’s needsConflict with other’s needs

Classroom ImplicationsClassroom Implications

► What needs are met with Cooperative What needs are met with Cooperative Learning (Collaborative Pairs, Group Work)?Learning (Collaborative Pairs, Group Work)?

► Classroom Rules?Classroom Rules?► Athletics?Athletics?► Clubs/Organizations?Clubs/Organizations?► Community service?Community service?► Review games?Review games?► Posting student work?Posting student work?► Hot and cold lunch lines?Hot and cold lunch lines?► Positive phone calls home?Positive phone calls home?